Electromagnetic waveguide based thermal energy extraction with emissive materials and modifications
Inventors
Poole, Zsolt • Ohodnicki, JR., Paul R.
Assignees
Publication Number
US-11150038-B1
Publication Date
2021-10-19
Expiration Date
2036-09-26
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Abstract
The method presented uses thermally emissive materials for the extraction of heat through the use of electromagnetic waveguides, wherein the emissive material comprises materials which emit electromagnetic radiation due to thermal excitation, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is coupled to electromagnetic waveguides; a receiver adapted to receive the electromagnetic radiation for utilization, wherein the extracted electromagnetic radiation may propagate arbitrary distances inside the waveguides before the need for processing, for example, to maximize the temperature differential between the emissive material and that of the receiver; and the exchange of the chemical composition of some portion of the environment the apparatus is housed in. The thermal energy extraction apparatus described herein has the purpose of removing heat from a source for conversion to other forms of energy such as electricity and for thermal management applications. Wherein for heat management, the benefit of waveguides would constitute reduced interference with electronics through electromagnetic coupling.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a thermal energy extraction apparatus and method that uses thermally emissive materials integrated with electromagnetic waveguides to convert thermal energy into electromagnetic radiation for extraction from a heat source to a location removed from the source. The thermally emissive materials emit electromagnetic radiation upon thermal excitation, and this radiation is coupled into electromagnetic waveguides such as optical fibers or planar waveguides. A receiver is adapted to receive the electromagnetic radiation for utilization, potentially converting it into other forms of energy such as electricity or for thermal management applications.
The apparatus and methods allow electromagnetic radiation to propagate arbitrary distances inside the waveguides before processing to maximize parameters like the temperature differential between the emissive material and the receiver. The emissive materials can be integrated with the waveguide in various configurations, such as deposited on the waveguide core, cladding, end-face, or coated on the waveguide, facilitating energy transfer through tunneling, scattering, or direct emission into the waveguide modes. Moreover, the chemical composition of the environment housing the apparatus may be exchanged to enhance the energy extraction performance, for example, by increasing the extracted energy density.
The problem addressed is the challenge of efficiently extracting thermal energy from a heat source and converting it into useful forms such as electricity or for cooling, while avoiding electromagnetic interference in high power or electronic systems. Existing approaches have limitations due to electromagnetic coupling, losses, or inefficiencies in capturing near-field thermal radiation. The invention provides a passive cooling and energy harvesting solution that can extract heat as electromagnetic radiation via waveguides without electrical contacts or wires, reducing interference with electronics and potentially increasing overall system efficiency.
Claims Coverage
The patent presents three independent claims focusing on thermal energy extraction apparatuses employing electromagnetic waveguides integrated with thermally emissive materials, each detailing specific configurations and material compositions combined with receivers to collect emitted electromagnetic radiation.
Thermal energy extraction apparatus with waveguide and thermally emissive material deposited on or integrated with waveguide
An apparatus comprising an electromagnetic waveguide; a thermally emissive material comprising high refractory oxides that is deposited on the core, on the end-face, coated on, or integrated with the waveguide; and two receivers located at opposing ends of the waveguide adapted to receive electromagnetic radiation emitted upon absorption of thermal energy.
Thermally emissive material comprising specific metal oxides integrated with electromagnetic waveguide with dual receivers
An apparatus including an electromagnetic waveguide; a thermally emissive material comprising at least one of Nb—TiO2, TiO2, porous TiO2, metal nanoparticle incorporated TiO2, strontium titanate (SrTiO3), doped SrTiO3, and CaMnNbO3-x nanocomposites or materials; with the thermally emissive material deposited on the core, end-face, coated on or integrated with the waveguide; and two receivers each at opposing ends of the waveguide adapted to receive electromagnetic radiation emitted upon absorption of thermal energy.
Thermal energy extraction apparatus with emissive material interacting via evanescent coupling and associated receivers
An apparatus comprising an electromagnetic waveguide; a thermally emissive material deposited on the core, on the end-face, coated on, or integrated with the waveguide that interacts with the waveguide through overlapping emissive material near field and waveguide evanescent regions; and at least one receiver adapted to receive electromagnetic radiation, wherein the waveguide is typically an optical fiber with two receivers each at opposing ends.
The claims collectively cover systems employing electromagnetic waveguides integrated with specialized thermally emissive materials, particularly metal oxide based materials, configured to efficiently extract thermal energy as electromagnetic radiation and direct it to receivers located at opposing ends of the waveguides, with emphasis on material placement and near-field coupling to optimize extraction efficiency.
Stated Advantages
Extraction of thermal energy as electromagnetic radiation enables removal of heat without electrical wires or contacts, reducing interference in high power electronic devices.
Environmentally induced changes in emissive materials can enhance the amount and spectral properties of extracted electromagnetic radiation, improving conversion efficiency.
The apparatus allows electromagnetic radiation to propagate arbitrary distances within waveguides before processing, enabling remote conversion or use of thermal energy.
Optical waveguide based thermal extraction offers a passive cooling approach with electrically insulating constituents, suitable for thermal management of power converters, transformers, and electronic devices.
Documented Applications
Waste heat recovery and power generation from sources such as coal, oil, natural gas, solar, geothermal, and nuclear energy.
Thermal management and passive cooling of electrical and electronic devices including power converters and transformers where electromagnetic interference must be minimized.
Conversion of thermal energy into other usable forms such as electricity, mechanical energy, or modified electromagnetic radiation using receiving devices like photovoltaic cell arrays.
High-temperature chemical plants and industrial processes to harness waste heat via optical waveguide based thermal energy extraction.
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